Winnipeg, MB – During this global pandemic, it is important to ensure that Winnipeggers continue to have access to fresh, local food. To that end, the City of Winnipeg is partnering with Direct Farm Manitoba and encouraging all Winnipeggers to support Winnipeg Harvest’s Grow-A-Row campaign.
The City is partnering with Direct Farm Manitoba to support the distribution of local farm fresh products including vegetables, meat, and dairy products by providing access to City land. Direct Farm Manitoba is a member-owned cooperative of direct marketing farmers and farmers’ markets.
“The impact that COVID-19 is having on our local economy is extending to farmers’ markets that are struggling to safely distribute their produce,” said Mayor Brian Bowman. “Recognizing that food security issues are of particular importance this year, I’m proud to announce that our municipal government is creating additional City locations for use as food hubs.”
Food hubs are designated locations for farmers, or groups of farmers, to arrange scheduled drop-off/pick-up times with their customers. These food hubs will be open starting in June and continue through to the fall harvest season.
“In previous years, City-owned community centres have stepped up to support and host several farmers’ markets around the city,” said Councillor Brian Mayes, Chairperson of the Winnipeg Food Council. “Due to the impact of COVID-19, the City of Winnipeg has worked with Direct Farm Manitoba to identify needs and offer opportunities on City sites so local produce can be available safely in more parts of the city.”
City-owned sites that have been confirmed to date for farmers’ market operation this season include the Lord Roberts Community Centre’s South Osborne Farmers Market and the R.A. Steen Community Centre’s Wolseley Farmers’ Market. Additional locations of both farmers’ markets and food hubs will be to be added in the coming week on the City’s website.
“Winnipeg can count on farmers for safe local food,” said Phil Veldhuis, President, Direct Farm Manitoba. “Our local farmers count on community spaces for markets and delivery locations. We appreciate the City of Winnipeg lending their space so farmers and farm supporters can connect."
In addition, the City is continuing its Community Garden program this year. Individual garden plots are fully rented this year, and the City will be providing these gardens with free compost upon request.
While the City’s annual compost giveaway has been delayed, we anticipate making free compost available to members of the public at a later date. The City is exploring alternate locations for compost giveaway to ensure that we are able to comply with social distancing requirements. More details on this event will be provided as they become available.
“Throughout this global pandemic, we are seeing our City’s volunteer spirit rise to the occasion,” said Mayor Brian Bowman. “As our thoughts turn to our yards and gardens, we are encouraging Winnipeggers to consider applying that volunteer spirit when making their planting decisions by growing some extra food for those who need it in our community.”
The City would like to encourage all Winnipeg gardeners to Grow-A-Row for Winnipeg Harvest. Since 1986, Winnipeg Harvest’s Grow-A-Row program has yielded millions of pounds of fresh fruit and vegetables for people in need.
“I want to challenge every green thumb to consider participating in Winnipeg Harvest’s Grow-A-Row campaign, whether from your community garden or in your backyard, and challenge your neighbours to do the same,” said Mayes.
The City Hall Campus will be participating in the Grow-A-Row program by planting vegetables in its gardens this year, in addition to its Indigenous gardens and flower beds. These vegetables will be harvested and donated to Winnipeg Harvest at the end of the growing season.
"Winnipeg Harvest is committed to ensuring that no Manitoban goes hungry,” said Keren Taylor-Hughes, CEO, Winnipeg Harvest. “Since Covid-19 struck, our warehouse is focused on packing and distributing emergency food hampers so we are unable to tend our garden this year. Community food drive donations are normally 20% of the food we receive. With gardening season about to begin, growing a row for Harvest would be a great way for the community to help fill our food gap."
Councillor Mayes also announced that he will be providing $500 to support the Bear Clan in its efforts to provide food handling training to some of their volunteers to enhance the Bear Clan’s food program.
“It is important that we are thinking broadly about our entire community during this global pandemic, and by finding ways to make access to fresh, locally grown food easier, we are helping to support each other,” concluded Jason Shaw, Manager of the City’s Emergency Operations Centre.